EDHS Contemporary World Affairs

MrsCavalluzzi · Guru

THIS YOU BELIEVE - A FINAL EXAM Assignment!!

buzdar · Senior Member

can you give us another example? so we know what it's supposed to look like?

AnJELLO · Senior Member

buzdar wrote:
can you give us another example? so we know what it's supposed to look like?

dude just go to the website

MrsCavalluzzi · Guru

There are many on the TIB website.

If you're looking for student work, you can also check the last few semesters' boards to see theirs - it's in the Discussion Topics, Week 8 thread for each!

-- Edited by MrsCavalluzzi on Tuesday 31st of May 2011 08:30:22 PM

Jcounts · Guru

This I believe

Throughout my life, I have believed a plethora of things including the easter bunny and even santa claus. However in the past 2 years nothing has helped me keep going more in life than music.

Music has been around for a very long time, and whether that means just singing or tapping your foot to a certain rythyme it gets your mind going, and it stimulates you. Music for me, has been my life. I have learned so much from music, and whenever I feel really down I can count on music to bring me up. No, I am not talking about all of the new age dance remixes of pop songs that have 1000 bpm, or even the new kind of electronic music called dubstep. I am talking about real music, that recognizes how messed up society is at certain points, and how society can even be a good place.

I believe that music can put you in any mood that you want, and there are not alot of things in this world that can put you in a happy, sad, calm, angry, and positive mood with the push of a button. I have seen many bands play, and there is NOTHING in the world like being up on the stage and singing along with the lead vocalist, it takes so much anxiety out of you that it becomes a very relaxing experience when all is done.

Music is one of TWO remedies in my life to cure a case of the bad mood. Music is one of the very few things that you can turn to to cheer you up repeatedly, and it will never fail you. Music is not a "best friend" that will leave you when you are stranded somewhere. Music is always there, and always will be. That is why music is amazing.

-- Edited by Jcounts on Wednesday 1st of June 2011 05:49:54 PM

-- Edited by Jcounts on Friday 3rd of June 2011 05:16:07 PM

-- Edited by Jcounts on Monday 6th of June 2011 05:45:29 PM

McDarden · Senior Member

This I believe

If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9. This I believe. This entire experience here on earth is all temporary and is preparation for our life after death. People spend so much of this life in the selfish superficial state of "Me". The truth is, its not about "Me", its about all the people you can positively impact, its about honoring God who gave us everything, and its about living with a love that no one can explain. When one lives with love people begin to notice and thats one of the most effective ways of positively impacting others for Christ. When you truly live your life for God and not for yourself there is a genuine joy and satisfaction that can be found nowhere else. People spend their whole lives searching for such satisfaction and joy but only God has that to give. Dont get me wrong, this life God gave us is for us to enjoy too, life is a blast! But one still needs to make God honoring decisions, for example you can have fun without being drunk and you can still make a living without stealing! Its very difficult however to live for God and not for yourself. For me personally im faced with hardships everyday concerning what are right and wrong, and other conflicts. Many times I think I know best but when I pray I find that God has other things in store for me. Life is so short and it should not be wasted, living a life for yourself is a short term and superficial investment, but living a life for God is and eternal investment! God is the one truth in this world and he is not hiding, dont waste your time wondering, Open your heart!

zade24 · Veteran Member

This I Believe

Music is the key to my soul and one of the things that can always put a smile on my face. I depend and thrive on music. I need music to keep me sane. Thanks to apple I have the most amazing thing in the world; my Ipod. I am the type of person that listens to everything except country. I just love the different rhythms and beats in the songs. I like how some songs I have I can relate to. With music, you can find a different song to every mood that you feel. When I am preparing for a basketball game I always have my Ipod playing my "Pre-Game Pump Up" playlist. Every person has a different type of music that can reach out to them or touch them inside. Music is deep, its peoples feelings written on paper and sung in a song. Listening to an Ipod is a great way to get away from all of lives obstacles. Every time I want to get away from lifes stresses I put in my head phones and I just get an overwhelming feeling of relief. In a way music saves me, it calms me down and distracts me from situations that I dont want to be in. I cant imagine a day where I dont listen to some kind of music at least once. Music is my safe get away, its one of the things that can comfort me and make me happy. Without it there would be no rhythm in my soul it would just be dull. I look for new music everyday at home. I get on my laptop and browse so many different websites. I'm not into mainstream music, especially rap and hip-hop because it is all about cars, girls and money. Rap and hip-hop is supposed to be poetry about things that matter.

-- Edited by zade24 on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 02:40:01 AM

krystalh · Senior Member

I believe in the phrase Its easier said than done.

I have overcome many obstacles throughout my life, but there is one in particular that I just cant seem to forget about.

As I was growing up, my mom took me to dance, gymnastics, and swimming classes, hoping that eventually I would find something that I loved and wanted to achieve in. To her disappointment, I didnt like any of those classes and ended up quitting all of them. A couple days passed, I had nothing to do so my friend and I decided to explore the community we lived in, that way we could kill some time. As we walked past the tennis courts we noticed a giant, fluffy golden retriever running around chasing the balls with its owner. We wanted to pet it so we called out to the man and asked if we could play with his dog and he was nice enough to let us in. I was kind of intimated because I had never been on a tennis court before and I felt like it was almost a crime that people who didnt play tennis, such as myself, were walking on the court. As I pet the mans dog, we began to talk about tennis, and not long after that, I began to develop a new obsession.

I started to live and breathe tennis, it was my sport, I was good at, and it was what I wanted to exceed in. I was no longer that stranger to the court.

Everyday I committed myself to practicing 4-6 hours; my goal was to be on the CSUF Division I team. However, my life changed dramatically my junior year. I had injured my shoulder and in order to fix the problem, I would need surgery. I was told that I would not be able to play tennis my senior year and if I couldnt play or practice, Division I tennis was definitely not going to be an option. I ended up recovering a lot faster than the doctor had anticipated, and I ended up playing my last year of Varsity tennis. The only thing is that, it wasn't the same, I wasn't the same. As I predicted, Division I tennis was definitely out of the question and I continued to live my life in misery. When I chose to commit all my time and effort into tennis, I never thought that all the blood, sweat, and tears would be put to waste.

However as time goes by I have begun to accept that things happen for a reason and I shouldnt let this affect me so hard. There were, and there still are days when I tell myself to just forget about it and move on but, Its easier said than done.

Rachellelindsay · Veteran Member

This I Believe

I believe that appreciation is the most important thing in life. Although I have had an extremely fortunate life and have no extreme hardships or obstacles to share, I believe that everybody has something to be thankful for, and nothing should be taken for granted. I believe that worrying about things that are beyond control is useless, and that everything happens for a reason. I take life as it comes and every day realize how lucky I am and how much I have been given. At the same time, I never forget those that are less fortunate. I believe that everybody should embrace selflessness, and that the world would be a much better place if everybody gave to those in need.

The thing that I am most grateful for in my life is my health. I feel that no matter how bad things in life get, if I have my health, the sky is the limit. I also feel that people that ruin their own health, by doing drugs or drinking extreme amounts of alcohol, are among the most ungrateful people on earth. So many adults and children suffer from illnesses and diseases that they were born with or are not able to do anything about and would give anything to have the opportunities that healthy people do, and I cannot sympathize with anybody who ruins the health that they were blessed with by doing stupid things to their body. I grew up with an alcoholic father my whole life, up until about 4 months ago, and I watched him ruin his own body and his brilliant mind. I watched him throw away almost every ability that he was blessed with, and I've also seen him squander his hard earned money on cigarettes and alcohol. However, I've also been fortunate enough to see him turn his life around, something I truly believed I would never live to see, and once again become healthy and sober. My dad has shown me that health is something to be extremely grateful for, especially if you're in control of it.

For this, and for everything in life, I am extremely grateful.

-- Edited by Rachellelindsay on Thursday 9th of June 2011 05:56:11 PM

krysten · Veteran Member

This I Believe

I believe in family. I believe that they are our rock and that you should always be able to depend on them. I know that they will always love me and that they are always going to be there if I need them. Also my family is made up of more than just those who I am related to. It includes my closest friends and their families too. They have made me who I am today.

My childhood was the kind you would see in a movie, it was perfect. I lived in a cul-de-sac with a park at the end of my street and we were friends with almost everyone. On weekends you would see us having block parties and on Fourth of July we would always have a bike parade around the neighborhood. We all would leave our garages open so that the neighbors could just come right on in, we never worried about someone breaking in or stealing anything. It was perfect. I couldnt have asked for anything better. At the time I didnt know how much my parents had given me back then until now. I didnt know that everyone didnt have the best big sister in the world or a best friend at the age of 3 that already know everything about you. I got really lucky. I realize that those years shaped my life. They provided me with life long friendships and an idea of how I want my future life to be.

Family is my life. I dont find it weird if on a Friday night I am hanging out with them instead of friends, they are so much a part of my life. I believe that my family is a big part of who I am. They understand me, tolerate me, accept me, and love me. They are able to turn my day around and make me laugh in a second. They have shown me so much in life and I dont know how I could live without them. I believe that family can change your life.

jish chang · Veteran Member

This I Believe
I believe in having good friends. I am a pretty social guy even though it might look like im not but when growing up i had alot of kids that i hung out with some of those friends i still hangout with today. When i was a younger kid i didnt realize how much friends actually impact your life i was just hanging out and having fun but now that I am older i see that some of the friends that i use to hangout with arent the best people I should be hanging around. A true friend is someone who loves and cares about you and will always be there for you when your down or hurt. I believe that having good friends can make life easier and happy. When I first moved from my old house and started highschool I didnt have any friends, I was pretty alone but when I saw some kids I knew from church they were true friends and took me in and we are all best friends now. We kinda do everything together, and no matter what we do its always somthing fun. I believe that having good friends not only makes life easy it can make the choices you have to make easy as well. I hangout with my friends because they have the same standards as me and we wont do anything that I feel is bad and thats why they are good friends to me. If i didnt have the friends that share the same standards that I do, I would have to make the hard choices of keeping them, by myself. I am so thankful and blessed to have good friends in my life i wouldnt be who I am today without them.

WestonWhite · Veteran Member

This I believe
I believe in freedom and democracy as well as our great nation. I hope that all Americans share my belief. I believe that all people not just in the United Sates but throughout the world deserve to have the same freedoms as our nation. America needs to lead in the world to accomplish this goal and to free all people around the globe. We have an obligation as the best nation in the world to shine a light of democracy to the rest of the world that dose not get to experience it. I feel like Americans often take for granted simple rights that the rest of the world can't even dream of. I believe that if America can't accomplish this goal of spreading democracy to every corner of the world then no nation can. This is because the United States of America is the greatest democratic nation in the history of our planet and as far as we know the universe. I hope that we as Americans can unite together like we have in our history to realize this dream that I have. I believe that Americans need to come together and corporate instead of bickering and arguing over things that others could never even have due to their current situations and help to bring them out of the darkness into the free world like so many of them dream to do. We saw this through out this semester with the uprising in the middle east. I believe that we need to stop playing the political game and help bring all people democracy. We can't pick and choose who deserves democracy because of economic profit. We have to show everyone that the United States is there if they desire to have freedom. This is what I believe and I hope every American believes.

ry32 · Senior Member

This I Believe

I believe strongly in the power of music. Up until 7th grade my main genre I listened to was alternative. My favorite bands being Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Foo Fighters, and a Sublime. But when I was in 7th grade I started listening to hip-hop and rap. I was first turned onto rap by my cousin Brandon. He bought me Kanye West's album Late Registration for my 13th birthday. Right away I was inspired by his music. From that point I started filling my iPod with anything that resembled Kanye. I then discovered Kid Cudi. He was more of an underground artist making mixtapes but no real album released. Right away I fell in love with his songs and style. As I have grown up so has the popularity of Cudi. He has now released 2 albums and has been touring. He has also teamed up with the likes of Kanye West, Common, Snoop Dogg, and Drake to just name a few. Kid Cudi in my mind brings a whole new style to hip-hop. Cudi raps about his troubled childhood, in losing his father, and growing up with a brother who was trapped in a gang. Cudi is a new rising star. This is what I believe!

emilyy · Veteran Member

I believe in being yourself. I was told as a child I was allowed to be whoever I wanted to be. Throughout the years Ive changed trying to figure out who I am. This past year, I actually feel I became my true self. And my family and friends back me up 100% . I think having the right to be whoever you want to be is how it should be. I have seen through experience friends who arent allowed to be themselves. Friends that cant be themselves around their parents because maybe theyre not considered right or normal. One of my friends has personally gone through this with her parents. She is forced to lie to them daily about who she likes and who she wants to be with. This puts great amounts of stress upon her and makes her second guess who she is everyday. I dont think this is right, if you know this is you, your family and friends should accept it and love you no matter what. There is no one right formula for how a person should live their life. You can only be you.

Victoria Bakker · Veteran Member

This I Believe

I believe in honesty and trust. In every good relationship, whether its with a family member, a friend, or a significant other there are two things in common- without honesty and trust a relationship wont last.

By definition honesty means truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness. To me honesty is one of the most important qualities I look for in a friend. To me friends are so much more than just a label, they are people I can go to with anything knowing they wont judge me, turn to for advice, or call just to say hi. My friends are my everything, I couldnt live without them. When I have a friend who tells me what they think no matter how they think it will make me feel it lets me know that they trust me and our friendship enough to be honest with me, and that to me is one of the most special friendships a person can have.

I have one friend that I can say I trust with everything and anything, I can call her any time of any day and she is always there for me. We have been friends for longer than I can remember. We grew up together and she has been through everything with me. My parents first got separated when I was in the fifth grade. There was no one there for me more than she was, I felt like she was the only one who understood what I was going through, and even when she didnt understand she was still there to listen. Even in the fifth grade I recognized how important trust was, and still is. I never really knew how much I needed to be able to trust a friend until another really close friend of mine broke my trust, we arent friends anymore.

When I transferred into Eldorado I decided I was going to look for friends who were going to value the same things as me like trust and honesty, although some of the friends I made last year did not have those qualities, and we have grown apart.

mknorr11 · Veteran Member

I strongly believe in the Constitution of the United States of America. With a dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation and the need for a strong centralized government, out nation came together on the special day of September 17, 1787 to discuss these problems and grow as a nation. I agree that the government should not go beyond it's written powers and with this important constitution, powers are given to the government and it protects the citizens from an expanding government. Remarkably, over 200 years later, we still use this written document and protects our rights such as the right to bear arms, right of free speech, freedom of religion, protection from wrongful prosecution, and our other rights part of the 27 amendments. I am truly blessed and grateful to live in a free country where I have these rights that effect my everyday life. Everyone who lives in America have much more freedom then numerous amounts of countries around the world, which makes me realize just how lucky I am.The Constitution isn't just important, it is the most important document ever created in American History, and the one document that affects every single citizen within the United States every day. This document that defines the rights and liberties we have in America is so powerful and still effects us in present day. I am so proud to be and American citizen, living within a country where I won't be sentenced to death or a cruel punishment for simply practicing a religion or speaking my mind without consequences. It breaks my heart when I hear on the daily news about countries who struggle with issues simply because they don't have simple rights to stand up for themselves or act out against what they think is wrong in their country. I believe that everyone has a voice that although their problems or opinions may not always change an issue, they should at least be heard. I thank our founding fathers for this constitution and having the heart and bravery to stand up for our country, protecting our rightful beliefs and having freedom.

sarah1110 · Veteran Member

This I Believe.

July 8th, 2010, my foot entered the thick mud, I sunk about 12 inches in; I took the first step into a cesspool bacteria, mud, and survival. One of our first tasks on my missionary trip to Waianae, Hawaii, was to hike up a mountain with a group of under privileged grade school kids on a field trip to an old plantation. Their task on the plantation was to jump into a muddy pit full of bugs to pull all of the weeds out so food could be planted. Once we arrived at the location, my missionary friends were in shock of our task. The kids could not wait to jump in and get dirty. As I looked around at the rest of the hesitant missionaries, I saw the fear of discomfort and bacteria reflected in their faces. That was the moment I decided to put on a pair of my dads old tube socks to take that first step into the muddy swamp. I smiled at my friends and took my next step. Shortly, 2 of my friends took my hand to enter the pit. Then the rest of the group decided to join us. As my body sunk into the thick mud, my pride and fear of embarrassment sunk as well. It was then that I realized it only takes 1 person to take that step towards making a difference. Leaders are the first to raise their hand, the first to step out of their comfort zone, and the first to take action. I believe it takes a strong yet humble person to be a leader.

What is important is to use your leadership in a positive manner. I do not believe in leading people down the wrong path of alcohol, drugs, and sex. Use your "power" for good, not evil. Serve someone who needs you. Give someone love, feed those who not only hunger for a piece of bread, but also a warm loving heart to embrace them. Most of all, lead with passion and service for these are the qualities that WILL change a persons life.

stephanieayers · Veteran Member

This I Believe.

I strongly believe in standing up for what you believe in. No matter what it is, what could happen, or at any cost it takes. Standing up in what you believe in is something everyone should be able to do, yet the majority of people in the world keep their mouths shut, and dont say a word. I feel like this is important in life because if you believe in something or agree with something, your voice needs to be heard. You need to be passionate about it and not let others put you down, and if they do, stand back up and fight for what you believe. And yes, I do think it IS a very hard thing to do, but it CAN be done. I find myself struggling with this through my faith, yet when I do stand up for what I believe, I feel ten times better knowing that i can grow from it, and hopefully others will as well. Imagine if no one ever stood up for their religion, for their rights, for justice, for anything; what would our world be like? Take a look back at some of the greatest historical figures in our past. Martin Luther King stood up for what he believed in, and because of what he believed in, he was killed. But our country wouldnt be the same without him taking a stand and fighting towards his goal and dream. Now maybe what you believe in isnt as great(and by great I mean big) as what Martin Luther King stood up for, but you still have a voice. You still have the option to be heard and take a stance. Now the problem begins with people who wont stand up, but in order to get what you want, you need to fight for it.
1 Corinthians 16:13, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be men of courage; be strong."

katelyn · Veteran Member

This I Believe
I believe that everything happens for a reason. For most people this is just a saying when your upset but for me its a saying to live by. Its this thats gets me through not only the little things each day, but the life changing things that scare me. By choosing to believe in that i have spent less time dwelling on the past and feeling sorry for myself and more time on moving forward. I think life is too short to waste time on negative feelings. Its normal to get down and upset about certain things but you cant let them get the best of you. Its easy to say "everything happens for a reason" when your going through something tough but if you dont truly believe it then theres no point. Believing this has been a way to help me see there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Altough I may not realize what the reason is for a long time or even never, I always know that whatevers happening to me is somehow going to end up affecting my life in a positive way. Whether thats just a lesson learned that keeps me from making the same mistakes or something even greater, my future will be changed for the better. Every tear, smile, laugh, mistake and experience have led to different reasons that have caused me to be who I am today. Looking back on my life so far I wouldnt change one thing, good or bad. I still have a lot more of my life to live but no matter what happens ill always believe that everything happens for a reason.

Abigail Grigory · Senior Member

I believe in constantly seeking a better understanding for everything. To me the most important aspects regard religion, culture, and the people around you who are influenced by the first two. I believe that if I can have more knowledge about an idea or a group of people, I will be less likely to develop prejudice or take part in stereotyping. Of course most of us can agree that often this is not done consciously, but it is rather an unfortunate natural state of mind.

I began to realize just how important it is to appreciate and understand other cultures and religions when my family welcomed various foreign exchange students into our home a year ago. Over the course of that year, I had seen four completely different cultures all who had resided within my own house. The benefit of getting to know four different people from four vastly different nations (China, Germany, Korea, and Saudi Arabia) exposed me to many shocking and interesting aspects of multiple cultures.

When one is are able to break down cultural barriers and focus on learning and having an understanding for the person, I believe is when societies can be truly comprehended. When the barriers are broken and you can allow the mind to take interest rather than cling to biases, the world is less dim and so are we.

itsmeshelby · Senior Member

This I Believe.

I believe that travel invigorates the soul. Just leaving a comfort zone and a life of monotony to physically enter a new place gives me incredible refreshment to my life physically and spiritually. The world is such a large place, and the opportunities to experience something new are boundless. As a high school student, waking up and going to the same place every day honestly depresses me and it is very easy to become consumed with these four years and to forget that there is so much more to life than high school. I feel that going out into this incredible earth and experiencing the dramatically diverse cultures and terrains can do more for a person than I can describe. I have always had this overwhelming question that helps to guide me as a person: how can I live on this earth and never see all of it?

The second I travel to somewhere new, I feel like a different person just experiencing a place that is completely different from where I spend most of my days, but I believe that I actually become more of myself. I love the feeling of stepping off of a plane into a place completely different. I'm lucky enough to have an outdoorsy dad who has shown me miles and miles of incredible geography; just seeing the grandeur of only part of this earth fills me with just pure happiness. I have never travelled abroad, but I still know how it would affect me. My aunt recently traveled to Italy and Spain for only one week. She has never travelled that far and I feel that she came back from Europe with this new life in her that I could just see in her eyes. She told me about her visit to a Catholic cathedral in Vatican City, Italy and she said that she still tears up just thinking about the overwhelming feeling she had being in such a beautiful place where people have come for centuries to feel closer to God. We are a Christian family and as she was in that cathedral, she realized that there is no one way to worship Jesus Christ; she experienced a whole new take on glorifying Jesus and it didn't matter what denomination she was in. Witnessing this brand new culture that is so different from the very modern Friends Church in Yorba Linda broadened her worldview and let her experience a reverence for humanity that she probably would not have known if she hadn't gone on that trip. I believe that that is our reality: that there are human beings way out there that do things completely different than we do, but at the same time, they are just like us. This reality is opened up to us when we travel.

Taking a break from the norm and experiencing our earth truly invigorates the soul. "Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air's salubrity."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

AlexTorres · Veteran Member

This I believe

I believe that we have the best country in the world; I mean, there are just so many things that I love about it, its kind of an obvious statement. Lets start from the beginning, the fact that we are a pretty young country, you could even say a teenager, that makes us such a lively and energetic nation that most countries just seem to have lost. We are still hungry, we seem to have gotten too full in the recent years but I see a bright future. The next thing I love about America is our government. Man did they kill it!

Now I'm not saying its a perfect set up but pretty much every new government that has come to be has modeled around this one, no big deal. 3 houses, one head of state to take charge and be the voice of our nation, a congress to make laws, make our lives better, invest in our nation, and finally, the judicial. This one is especially my favorite. A group of nine judges serving life terms; in charge of passing judgment on our nations future disagreements. With all of our lands represented, we must now make sure they are secure. Pretty much since World War 2, we have had the greatest and most powerful army on the planet. One of the things I love most about this country is its creativity. You can not forget, most of the worlds latest and greatest inventions have been brought up in the United States, making it the most recent center of the business world.

My favorite thing about the United States is its development of the cinema and movie industry. The concept of a movie is so interesting my mind-boggling to me that it makes it officially up in my list of greatest American inventions. There are so many amazing and interesting things about the United States and its history and I really wish I could sit here all day and just list and explain them but you could just take my word for it that it just cant be beat. If you are just dying for more great US information, just talk to Ms. Cav

Allan · Senior Member

Opportunity Does Not Discriminate

There has always been a struggle for human equality. Much of the world doesn't have clean water to drink; hundreds of shoes to protect their feet; medicine to stay healthy; food to fend off hunger, yet that ambitious ability and potential to rise up, is within all of us.

Even the most unfortunate of people, can become the most fortunate of all.

And here we stand, so high up the ladder, it's almost impossible not to make something out of ourselves relatively easy, compared to others anywhere else. No one can believe more powerfully, than you can, for yourself. This is why I believe that I can use my life to make the world better.

I want to begin by teaching High School Biology, and as I continue my education, move on to Professor at a University. My life goal, is to create a University Research Center and Corporation, that is dedicated to medicinal breakthroughs and longevity.

True. It would take millions, maybe even billions to open up such a location. But who says it isn't possible? As long as I keep believing, and I work towards my goal, the opportunity will arise, and I will no longer need to believe or dream, because it will be true.

I do not believe in something simply because, it is a necessity for comfort. I don't enjoy wasting my time on complacent endings, simply to forget about them. Why are we assuming so much, when we know so little. Exploration is a part of the human race, especially exploration beyond our atmosphere. Imagine if we could someday make indirect or direct contact with extraterrestrial life. Or at the very least inhabit and colonize other worlds. I believe, it is all possible.

I also believe that it is ignorant for us to fight. With all the opportunities wasted, imagine what could be accomplished had they been used. Our folly and conceit is what keeps us from our goals. All we need to do is put our differences aside. Obviously we havent, because otherwise, the world wouldnt have such large gaps between the standard of living. While, I dont believe in a perfect world, I believe that a good one is achievable and within our reach and lifetime.

Apple went bankrupt, lost its CEO, and became one of the best companys in the world. When your opportunity comes, what will you do? I have an idea, but thats one, for me to keep. It doesn't matter where you start.

If you dont know, you must discover, and if you cannot discover, you must explore

-- Edited by Allan on Thursday 9th of June 2011 05:43:14 PM

NickNakakihara · Veteran Member

This I believe
I believe that videogames can help a person. The reason I believe this is because my life is quite melancholy. Nothing exciting really happens in my life. I think that maybe once or twice a year (at most) some thing exciting happens. So I turn to other things to fill that void of nothingness. Take a guess at what it is and its not drugs. My hobby is videogame.
Videogames have been in my life since I was about 5 years old. My first videogame was a Pico. If anybody remembers what a Pico was. Well the reason I play videogames is so that I can escape my problems for a while and have fun while doing it. I believe that videogames can help a person through stress release, help learning, and increasing reasoning skills. Even though some people say that video games will make you do crazy things, be more violent, kill you (literally), or make you a serial killer. The only real damage would be to your eyes if you play to long. People assume that just because it was on the news and happened to an individual it will happen to them. Well I have been playing videogames for most of my life and I havent become any of those except a little more violent, but that come with growing up and how you were raised. The only deaths I heard about that were caused by videogames were people who play them non stop for days at a time and without taking care of themselves. The only crimes caused by videogames were minor crimes and were done by idiots, the mentally disturbed, and drugies. I have heard of more severe crimes caused by people who watched movies and read books. If you need an example the north LA shootout was caused by two guys who wanted to imitate a movie they saw. For those who dont know the myths surrounding Catcher in the Rye some think it is a brainwashing technique to make people do things. The assassin who killed JFK had that book in his pocket and a guy who set of a car bomb was reciting lines from that book while he was being arrested. So in comparison videogames are virtually harmless and I think that crimes caused by videogames get a lot of publicity because its rare that it happens and it is relatively new compared to movies and defiantly books.

NolanS · Veteran Member

This I Believe

I am a man who believes in many things. I believe that people are born naturally good, I believe that who make our future I believe in science and evolution and that music is laughter is a good medicine and I believe it is wrong to judge what it different but most importantly, I believe life should be cherished because we arent promised anything. As I grow up I like to think about life and everything around me. I love life and I think this world is a wonderful place and I try to do my part in keeping it that way by recycling not littering and being nice to others. Im not a hippie or anything but I like to live at peace and thats what we as society lack. Everyone argues causes chaos fights is rude has no respect and is insecure, dont get me wrong I even have some of these traits but its something we must work on. I believe war and differences in color and religion causes the most arguments between people and this is wrong. We shouldnt discriminate against others because they have a different skin tone or worship a different god, its the fact that we are a human being that breaths, cries, laughs and loves and that should be the important part. So as I think about things in life and the things I believe happiness for ourselves in this world is the meaning to life and the only way to achieve that is to be at peace with ourselves and the only way we can get that is to be at peace with each other and I believe this is possible. When you think about it whats the worst thing that can happen from people smiling at a stranger on a bus or picking something up someone dropped or not treating someone differently because they are a woman or come from a different part of town? Exactly nothing respect goes a long way in life. Is it necessary for someone to racist or sexist or angry all the time because they hate their job? Just think about things more often and put things into a perspective that this is a beautiful world and the people in it are looking for pretty much the same things as you so like my mom would say treat others how you want to be treated. So my main point is try to be a better person. I believe everyone can do this.

Kassandra Skywalker · Veteran Member

Be Kind, Rewind!

I know video cassettes are outdated, so that means that the age old saying Be Kind, Rewind that most video rental places used has been sadly forgotten. But as a child who was born when videos were popular I remember and appreciate this saying. This saying in my life doesnt just apply to video cassettes, (which I still watch occasionally because you are never too old for some original Disney) it applies to my every day life and the life I have lived.

Many people our age tend to insult history and the learning of it because it is in the past but learning about it, or rewinding if you will, is a good thing to do. It is what has determined where I am today, if it werent for the wars the U.S.A. has fought in the past that everyone hates to learn about I wouldnt live in a free country, it could be a country dominated by others. Its also learning about the mistakes past leaders make that can help me avoid repeating past errors. Lets all admit the outcome of WWII wouldve most likely been different had Hitler heeded the fact that Napoleons troops epically failed in Russia so he would most likely fail in Russia. So if I ever plan on trying for world domination I am not invading Russia. I learned that in history class, so be kind to the teachers and those that study history because when they rewind and show old things it can help others not make the same mistakes. Kind of like learning from the past mistakes of other leaders, like I might learn not to do things that my older brothers and sister did.

Rewinding in my own daily life has also been good for me, looking back at the way my life used to be, the way I used to be can be very good for me every once in awhile. Sometimes looking back makes me realize what Ive become isnt good and so I can change courses. Other times looking back makes me feel proud of what I have accomplished and humbles me to think how I started out. Either way rewinding and looking at things again helps me gain perspective and so its an important part of my life.

I personally miss video tapes and the catchy saying Be Kind, Rewind! and others may forget about both of those things since technology is advancing at such a quick pace, but I will remember it all of my days as I look back at it all.

BB · Member

The keys to the bright side of life.

I believe a smile can take a lot of pain away, even when you're in a bad mood or in a bad situation. Crying might help you get over it and let some pain go but getting upset, worried or mad won't change the problem nor will solve it, so keeping a positive attitude towards everything is one of the most important things in my life and I've learned this through bad experiences.Instead of just sit around, complain or be upset I always try to look at things from the good side because it doesn"t only help me overcome the problem, it also helps me to be a better person and learn from my issues and mistakes. So I try my best to keep a smile in my face no matter what. Being happy is and always will be my religion and I think I shouldn't let anyone or anything take that awat from me so Hacuna Matata.

I also think that two wrongs don't make a right so it's very important to be nice and kind to everyone,even to people you don't really like because we are all humans and we all deserve to be treated with respect and sometimes we don't like certain person/people just because. and truth is that maybe if we take the time to get to know that person/people we would discover things that we might actually like about them and that,would make us change our mind, so keeping a postive attitude IS important when it come to people and relationshios too!, plus what goes around comes around so if you want people to respect you and treat you right,you should start being nice to them and you'll get the same back. And if someone does treat you bad or does something mean to you. I think it's better to just let karma take care of it (of course I do believe in karma) it is pointless to try to make them pay or try revenge because like I said you get whatever YOU put out so life itself will make them pay, all you have to do is sit and wait for it to happen. And even though sometimes people hurt you and it's hard to keep ypur head up, I think the best thing to do is to put your feelings in your pocket, smile and move on, nothing last forever so they pain will go away, you'll get over it and you'll be fine.

I believe the key of having a good attitude towards others begins by having a good attiude about yourself, there is nothing better than knowing and loving yourself for who you are, at the ende of the day how much OTHER people choose to like you love you or hate you will NEVER be your decision and there's nothing you can do to change they already chose to see you, so I look at it like this: Why would I care about what other person thinks or says about me if at the end of the day I'M the one who has to look at MYSELF in the mirror and NOT at the person who says or thinks whatever about me, so Why would I let THEIR opinion affect ME? it's really worthless!. So like Lil' Wayne says "you can love me or hate me, I swear it won't make me or break me."

I also think minding your own business is the best way yo avoid arguments and trouble with other people, we can't judge a person by the way she or he looks, talks or acts, we just don't have the right to do that and most of the time it's better to keep your mouth shut and your mind open, especially when it comes to getting to know people and socializing.

In conlcusion, my dad always tells me to keep my cool, stay relaxed and face EVERY situaton of my life with calm and I certainly listen to his advice!. Staying calm and not losing control helps you think better and react in a mature and smart way and once you take a deep breath, analyze the situation and settle down, you'll realize that it's NOT good to make decisions when you're mad nor make promises when you're happy. So just like my dad says if everyone would apply these two words to their lifes, things would be easier for them and they would make smarter decisions which would lead them to good resutls and consequences and those two words are: STAY CALM! :D

-- Edited by BB on Thursday 9th of June 2011 06:07:36 PM

AnJELLO · Senior Member

SIMPLICITY

I believe in the simple things of life. I know it seems cliché but hey that's just me. I believe that anything simple can be memorable as long as you're with friends or family. I also strongly believe in God. His teachings have taught me a lot about myself and I still continue to learn things about myself. I believe that even though you're in the worst place in life, there is always a positive effect coming out from that negative. I believe in simplicity because the simpler you make your things in life the easier you make the tough issues. I believe in living simply because it helps me let go of materialistic things that have me tied down to the world. I believe that living life as it comes and goes has helped me discover a few things about myself I was to ignorant to find out.

I believe that God has helped my life be simpler, because through him I believe that one can live happy without the materialism. I love my family and friends and that's what I like to live for. I also believe music is the best medicine for anybody. Music can be a way to show others how Im feeling but it can also be spiritually healing. I believe that the music I listen to has also somewhat influenced the way I live because most of what I listen to has simple rhythms and beats, but have a lot of passion in them.

buzdar · Senior Member

This I Believe I believe in the Enlightenment. I believe that the only thing separating a man from greatness is hard work. I believe that one should question everything and believe nothing. I believe that every thought or emotion or belief Ive ever had could be wrong. I believe that in the words of Christopher Hitchens, one should live as if there free to do anything even if they are not, just as Galileo lived as if he could publish a paper about a heliocentric universe. I believe there is no punishment that should deter someone from standing up for what they believe. I believe a single man can cause great harm and great good to mankind. I believe that one day the world will be perfect because throughout history societies have progressed to the side of freedom and equality for all people. I believe in a world without bigotry or greed where man is free to do what he wants and an end to violence. I believe in being open-minded yet stubborn in your belief. I believe if anyone wants to end world hunger or war then the key would be to educate the world. I believe that no stance is invalid no matter how many people disapprove or are scared by it. I believe that its just important to know the points which contradict your beliefs as it is to know what you belief. I believe that people shouldnt judge others because its almost impossible to know how their life has been or their experiences. I believe in complete free speech and think nothing is too offensive to be heard. I believe being provocative is good and challenges peoples thoughts; 100 years ago women wearing short dresses were thought to be provocative. I believe that everyone is the same, that everyone has insecurities and things we know were talented in. I believe that no one should ever be scared of someone elses views or way of life because it will never affect them. I believe being optimistic without real action wont accomplish anything. I also believe in intentionally saying the antithesis of someone elses beliefs, in order to see their reactions and see how valiantly theyll defend them. And finally I believe that this was hard and I think I did it wrong.

Skyler Valle · Senior Member

This I Believe
Laws control the lesser man Right conduct controls the greater one. Real original quoting Mark Twain, I know. But its still a pretty intriguing idea.

Now Im by no means advocating anarchy or saying laws are inane. But the concept of right conduct seems to be overlooked.

Laws are needed by a society. They are made for a people as a whole, holding everyone to the same standard and responsibility. Right conduct, on the other hand, is based on a personal basis, at least in my opinion. Im sure there are hundreds or maybe even thousands of etiquette and manners books instructing people on the proper way to behave. But in my humble interpretation of Twains adage, right conduct is the standards and ideals an individual holds themselves too.

Sure, lets have a law that tells me not to murder someone. But, Id like to think my friends, neighbors, and I arent murdering people because we dont want to and not because were not allowed to. I believe it says more about a person if they choose how they will and wont act as opposed to being forced into behaving in a certain manner.

I respect the person who does something admirable or honorable not because they were told to do so but because that is what they believe in, what they chose, what inspires or ignites them. In my mind, a good deed or even an incredible feat deserves less credit if prompted by a rule, law or obligation. Lets face it; its not uncommon for people to follow rules just because they dont want to get in trouble. I doubt Im the only one who drives at exactly the speed limit when a cop is around. Is it because I feel driving five miles faster is a grave danger to the public and disrespectful to the privilege of driving or because I dont want a ticket and would cry if a big scary police officer yelled at me? Which of the two reasons is more admirable?

To me, the beauty and the pain of right conduct is that everyone has their own definition. What I find ethical, moral, respectful or appropriate most likely wont be identical to anyone reading this. So thats where the law comes in. And yes, laws have other purposes than creating ethical and moral standards and they often cause conflict because as opinionated (and gratefully free to be vocal about it) we have differing perceptions of right conduct.

So all I can do is aim to live to my own standards. Honestly, Im still figuring them out. Im sure as I progress to new stages of my life Ill encounter new situations, new dilemmas. And at the end of the day Ill have myself to answer to. There are some foundational beliefs I have to guide me but I know Ill being figuring some of it out as Im going, answering to my conscience. Even once I seem to have it all figured out, Im certain there will be tests, struggles. But I will fight my hardest to live up to what I deem right because I hate the feeling of being disappointed or ashamed of myself. Ill continue to strive to live so I can look myself and others in the eyes, proud, knowing that I am the greater of the two men.

Kayla · Veteran Member

I Believe in the Necessity of Change

"Change has a bad reputation in our society. But it isn't all bad not by any means. In fact, change is necessary in life to keep us moving ... to keep us growing ... to keep us interested . ... Imagine life without change. It would be static ... boring ... dull."

Dr. Dennis O'Grady

I believe in change. I believe that change can be good, bad, terrifying or exciting. I believe that change can be all of these things; but I also believe that change is necessary.

Everyone needs change. It keeps you moving forward and it helps you grow.

Some people refuse change because they are afraid of what it may bring. These are the people who never grow up. They never take the chances that will make their life more fulfilling. They feel that their life is good the way they have it and they deny change but when everyone else has moved on they are stuck in a life they do not want to live.

Graduation is approaching and seniors are saying their tearful good-byes. I look around at all the recent changes in my life. For eighteen years, my life has been blessed by my best friends and family; but I will be leaving all of them in a few months to attend the University of Oregon.

I will be alone for the first time. This idea terrifies me but I know I need change. My relationship with my friends now will most likely change but like the old girl scout song I learned when I was little says make new friends and keep the old, I will continue to make new connections throughout life while always returning to those I love here in southern California.

Next year when everyone I love is eight hundred miles away I will probably be a little nostalgic but I will be looking toward the fun and exciting (and maybe even the terrifying) experiences change will bring me throughout life.